The earliest Airwalk Shoes known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes Airwalk Shoes do not normally last Airwalk Shoes for thousands Airwalk Shoes of years, so shoes were probably in Airwalk Shoes use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of Airwalk Shoes shoes began in Airwalk Shoes the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this Airwalk Shoes period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole Airwalk Shoes to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which Airwalk Shoes sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct Airwalk Shoes contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles Airwalk Shoes made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the Airwalk Shoes heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while Airwalk Shoes the front is leather Airwalk Shoes for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; Airwalk Shoes many Airwalk Shoes kinds of dancing Airwalk Shoes shoes Airwalk Shoes have much softer Airwalk Shoes or harder Airwalk Shoes soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Airwalk Shoes Some types of shoes, like running shoes, Airwalk Shoes have another material for shock Airwalk Shoes absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Airwalk Shoes Some shoes may Airwalk Shoes not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to Airwalk Shoes support Airwalk Shoes the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same Airwalk Shoes material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical Airwalk Shoes use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe Airwalk Shoes has an upper part that helps hold Airwalk Shoes the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the Airwalk Shoes sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent Airwalk Shoes 3,355,535 , Airwalk Shoes from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be Airwalk Shoes used to insert a foot into Airwalk Shoes a shoe by keeping the shoe open Airwalk Shoes and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for Airwalk Shoes rain Airwalk Shoes and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced Airwalk Shoes abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for Airwalk Shoes making Airwalk Shoes a Airwalk Shoes shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by Airwalk Shoes the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes Airwalk Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in Airwalk Shoes a conservation exhibit at Airwalk Shoes Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized Airwalk Shoes by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow Air Force Shoes sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress Airwalk Shoes shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, Airwalk Shoes enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often Airwalk Shoes made without apertures Airwalk Shoes or openings, Airwalk Shoes but may also be made with openings or Airwalk Shoes even itself consist of a series of straps, Airwalk Shoes e.g. an Airwalk Shoes open toe Airwalk Shoes featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; Airwalk Shoes a shoe with Airwalk Shoes the upper rising above the Airwalk Shoes ankle is usually Airwalk Shoes considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
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Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to Best Running Shoes which the laces are attached; also known as "closed Propet Shoes lacing". In England, the balmoral is known Airwalk Shoes as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes Airwalk Shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces Airwalk Shoes of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: Airwalk Shoes have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. Airwalk Shoes This is possibly the Airwalk Shoes most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is Airwalk Shoes covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down Airwalk Shoes either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on Airwalk Shoes the talk Airwalk Shoes page. See Airwalk Shoes Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There Airwalk Shoes is a large variety of Airwalk Shoes shoes available for women, in addition to most of the men's styles being more accepted as Airwalk Shoes unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, Airwalk Shoes ballet pumps or Airwalk Shoes skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular Mary Jane Shoes for warm-weather wear, and may Airwalk Shoes be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes Airwalk Shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see Airwalk Shoes article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an Airwalk Shoes athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with Airwalk Shoes very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a Airwalk Shoes heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe Airwalk Shoes would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress Airwalk Shoes or Airwalk Shoes casual shoe without Airwalk Shoes laces; Airwalk Shoes often with tassels, buckles, or Airwalk Shoes coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and Airwalk Shoes deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, Airwalk Shoes are usually simple Airwalk Shoes leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Airwalk Shoes Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have Airwalk Shoes soft soles/heels to avoid marring Airwalk Shoes or scratching a boat Airwalk Shoes deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the Airwalk Shoes ankle) frequently made Airwalk Shoes of leather. Airwalk Shoes Some are Airwalk Shoes designed to be used in Airwalk Shoes times of bad weather, or simply as Airwalk Shoes an alternate style of casual or Airwalk Shoes dress wear. Styles Airwalk Shoes include rubber boots Airwalk Shoes and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, Airwalk Shoes commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In Airwalk Shoes many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Airwalk Shoes Emphasis tends to be more Indoor Soccer Shoes on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers Airwalk Shoes (also called gym shoes or Airwalk Shoes tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out Airwalk Shoes of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, Airwalk Shoes flexible, and have good Airwalk Shoes traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
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Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded Airwalk Shoes or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports Ed Hardy Shoes such as rugby, football, American football, Airwalk Shoes or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but Airwalk Shoes replaceable Airwalk Shoes "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials Airwalk Shoes with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are Airwalk Shoes much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber Airwalk Shoes soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned Airwalk Shoes at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, Airwalk Shoes to provide ankle support on uneven Airwalk Shoes terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: Airwalk Shoes have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in Airwalk Shoes weight than the hiking boot, Airwalk Shoes may have Airwalk Shoes air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically Airwalk Shoes called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the Airwalk Shoes shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a Airwalk Shoes large, thick plastic boot specially designed Airwalk Shoes for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on Airwalk Shoes a skateboard. Airwalk Shoes They are very wide and have Airwalk Shoes extra layers of Airwalk Shoes padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, Airwalk Shoes as Airwalk Shoes well as a stiff sole to Ladies Shoes maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In Airwalk Shoes temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic Airwalk Shoes bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic Airwalk Shoes shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes Airwalk Shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort Airwalk Shoes qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe Airwalk Shoes shoes. Designed Airwalk Shoes for Airwalk Shoes ballet dancing. Airwalk Shoes These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied Airwalk Shoes to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less Airwalk Shoes slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and Airwalk Shoes thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that Airwalk Shoes cross over Airwalk Shoes the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or Airwalk Shoes pale Airwalk Shoes tan, although they may be made in Airwalk Shoes specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories Airwalk Shoes for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF Airwalk Shoes (International DanceSport Airwalk Shoes Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom Airwalk Shoes shoes are typically Airwalk Shoes court Airwalk Shoes shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a Airwalk Shoes greater variety of colours Airwalk Shoes to match the Airwalk Shoes dancer's dress. The Airwalk Shoes low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher Airwalk Shoes heels designed to Airwalk Shoes throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have Airwalk Shoes 1.5-inch Airwalk Shoes to Airwalk Shoes Stripper Shoes 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, Airwalk Shoes open-toed and Airwalk Shoes strapped.
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Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, Airwalk Shoes these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character Airwalk Shoes shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled Airwalk Shoes varieties. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Airwalk Shoes Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot Airwalk Shoes from skin Airwalk Shoes abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a Airwalk Shoes dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes. Airwalk Shoes
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may Airwalk Shoes include steel-tipped toes Airwalk Shoes and soles or ankle Airwalk Shoes guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of Airwalk Shoes thousands Blue Shoes of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep a Airwalk Shoes person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they Airwalk Shoes continued in use Airwalk Shoes even Airwalk Shoes into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe Airwalk Shoes with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many Airwalk Shoes North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Airwalk Shoes Some Airwalk Shoes shoes are made of hard Airwalk Shoes but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear Airwalk Shoes out. Not all shoes are designed to Airwalk Shoes enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes Airwalk Shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or Airwalk Shoes municipal solid waste Airwalk Shoes and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or Airwalk Shoes repairs shoes in a shop is Airwalk Shoes called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle Airwalk Shoes East and Airwalk Shoes Africa, much Airwalk Shoes of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In Airwalk Shoes some areas of the United Airwalk Shoes States, especially the Midwest, it is expected Airwalk Shoes that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid Airwalk Shoes bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Airwalk Shoes Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the Airwalk Shoes soles of the feet to others (even Airwalk Shoes accidentally, such as by Airwalk Shoes crossing the legs). In addition, in Airwalk Shoes Thailand, it is an Airwalk Shoes extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads Airwalk Shoes is Airwalk Shoes an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's Airwalk Shoes head with their foot Airwalk Shoes (most Muay Thai kicks Airwalk Shoes Ice Cream Shoes are executed with the shin). |
